Triumphrat

SoCalSprint · 08-02-2006

I became interested in Triumph back in '98 when I saw a Sprint Executive on the cover of "RIDER" magazine.
I loved the look of the bike, the lines, the hard luggage the half fairing.
But I thought the 885cc triple might be a little underpowered for me (I'm 6'0" and about 285)
Anyway I bought a 02' Kawasaki ZRX1200R a few years later then an '04 and recently was looking for something different.
Saw that Triumph had a "FREE" hard bag ofer and 2.9% financing on the '06 Sprint and couldn't resist! I love the look of my Sprint but still wouldn't mind owning a low mileage Sprint Executive!
(I still have that issue of "RIDER" magazine with that Maroon color Executive on the cover)

[ This message was edited by: SoCalSprint on 2006-08-02 21:24 ]

shemp · 08-02-2006

I was looking for a Suzuki SV650 Naked. It seemed to be a nice all around bike, and quite affordable.... Then I saw an ad on craigslist for a guy selling a '98 Sprint Sport (I believe it's just like executive without the bags) I knew nothing about Truimphs at the time, but I started combing the internet for any info I could find. Between this message board, asking some coworkers who ride Triumphs, and talking to the service manager at my local dealer, I was able to get quite a bit of info. Everyone seemed to give the bike high marks, so I took the plunge. I've only had it for about 3 weeks, but so far I love it. Not quite as light and nimble as an SV, but probably better for pounding freeway miles on.

seumas · 08-03-2006

After a succession of relatively bland Hondas--CB450, CB750 etc.--when I started riding again I wanted something with some character. I also wanted something relatively rare; I didn't want to see the same bike coming at me everytime I turned around. I had fond memories of the Brit bikes from when I was a kid and I had been following the re-emergence of Triumph.
I got my 95 Sprint two years ago with 6K miles and have put 20K on it since. It definitely has character and I have only seen one other like it in the last two years. Even when I went to the RAT raid in Arizona last year I had the only one.

Percanto · 08-03-2006

I know what you mean, Shemp. I was also looking for an SV at first - I didn't really know much about Hinckley Trumpets at the time. I wanted a naked/ semi-naked bike with an 'interesting' engine (ie non-straight four) that wasn't too small. I think the slug of torque the engine produces more than makes up for any lack of top end power. I'm also over 6', so I look pretty stupid on alot of streetfighters and muscle bikes. When I tried sitting on a Monster it looked and felt like a mini-moto.

I saw my Trident at the local Guzzi dealership, and fell in love. It had a Sprint Manufacturing fairing at the time, which was cool, but I removed it after a drop. Plus, I prefer the look of the naked trident, but that's a purely personal opinion! I don't mean any disrespect to the Sprinters out there!

(BTW, if anyone wants to take the fairing off my hands for repair or parts strip - twin headlights, aux loom and mounting bracket - get in touch)

I love the bike, but the only thing I would change is the soft springs at the front. The front end dive when the brakes bite can be quite extreme when your 'on-it' (chasing a mate on his zxr). I might go for a fork re-build with the daytona multi-rate springs from Sprint Manufacturing before next summer. Anyone tried any other front end mods?

tealetm · 08-03-2006

The 95 S3 was my first real bike (aside from a '69 Honda 90cc when I was 14). I was actually looking to get a Triumph TT when I first started looking, but saw the S3 for a good price.

Now I'm hung up on Triumphs, as well as other "non-mainstream" manufacturers.

andybike · 08-03-2006

i bought my sprint sport cos it was cheap and i had the money in my hand and no bike.
found it to be very good for distances,good on petrol and insurance.

now i want something more sporty so i'm selling the bike and accessories.

if anyone told me triumphs were expensive to run,i'd completely disagree with them unless you need spares.
the triumph dealer network is a rip off and its hard to find aftermarket spares.

[ This message was edited by: andybike on 2006-09-25 01:22 ]

Skullza · 08-03-2006

I'd been (and still am) fussing with BSAs since 1975, but I now wanted something 1)I could get on, press the button and ride with great reliability 2) was unlike most of the other bikes I see on the street - has some personality 3) was UK made. I went to the Triumph dealer in 2001 to look at new bikes, but the first bike I spotted was a traded-in CAR '96 Sprint w/6K miles on the clock. It was love at first sight. Funny - when I took it for a test ride took me a bit to figure out all those buttons - lots more than my vintage BI. Since, have added an '05 Bonnie to the stable - the first brand-new bike I've bought in more than 30 years of riding.

eagle · 08-03-2006

I always wanted a Bonnie when I was a kid - but couldn;t afford one. I had a Les Harris one which 'blew up' on me. Then I got an 06 Bonnie after a lot of fast Jap stuff. It's just such a hoot to ride and I didn't miss the excesive speed.

But it needs a lot of polishing so I was looking out for something to ride in the rain etc.. Saw the 98 Sprint last week and had to have it. I just love Treiumph twins and triples and the way they are put together.

But don't worry - I'll be polishing the Sprint too!

cheapbastard · 08-03-2006

Well, I got to really think'n about it, when I saw the new ad for the 05 Speed Triple back in March 05 Superbikes magazine. Then I got it outta my head for a few months, then realizing that I did really, really like it, I thought I would give one a test spin. Big mistake, once that was done, it only took me about one month to sell my R1 and have speedy sitt'n in the garage! :-D I used to bleed Yamaha blue, and I have to admit, from what I've experienced and saw with Triumph's lineup now, I think I'm gonna be a Triumph man for life! :-D

pendraig · 08-03-2006

When I was young I wanted a Harley, but couldn't afford one on what I was making driving taxis. Japanese bikes were still for mods and guys who didn't mind having stamped sheet metal frames and gas tanks that looked like they were installed backwards.
I picked up a BSA for a hundred dollars and began my love affair with British motorcycles. The 650 twins (BSA or Triumph) could run just as fast as Harleys with almost twice their displacement and could corner.
By the late nineties, I was getting a bit disenchanted. All of my friends were running modern Jap stuff and my 79 Bonnie just wasn't keeping up on ton-up 200 mile runs. One Sunday as I was limping home with a broken head steady and a top end hemmoraging oil all over my jeans, I ran into the owner of our local Triumph dealership, lounging around on a red '96 Sprint at a scenic overlook atop a mountain. As it was just a few miles to his shop and quite a few home, he offered to let me put the Bonnie in for the night at the shop and ride the Sprint home from there.
And that's how I bought my Sprint.